During the span of recorded history, the egg has represented mystery, magic, medicine, food and omen. For the Christian faith, it is a universal symbol of Easter. During Easter celebrations it has been dyed, painted, adorned and embellished to show special symbolisms.

Before the egg became Easter tradition, it was associated with pagan rituals during the rite of Spring festivals. It was a symbol of the universe for the Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians, Persians and others. From ancient times down to modern day, the egg has been dyed, painted and exchanged.

Polish Traditions

There are two old Polish legends which blend folklore and Christian beliefs during the Easter celebration. The first tells a story of the Virgin Mary. Mary is said to have given eggs to the soldiers at the cross. She asked for them to be less cruel and wept. It is said that the tears of Mary fell onto the eggs, spotting them with dots in brilliant colors.

The second Polish legend is of Mary Magdalen. This legend says that Mary Magdalen went to the sepulcher to anoint the body of Jesus. Mary took a basket of eggs with her as a snack. It is said that when she arrived at the sepulcher, she uncovered the eggs to discover that the shells had taken on a rainbow of colors.

English Traditions

Decorating and coloring of Easter eggs was already a custom in England during the middle ages. The records for the house of Edward I, in the year 1290, have listed an expense for 450 eggs to be gold-leafed and colored as Easter gifts.

Faberge and Russia

The most famous version of Easter egg comes from the well known goldsmith Peter Carl Faberge. The Russian Czar, in 1883, commissioned Peter Faberge to create a special Easter gift for the Empress Marie.

The first Easter egg designed by Faberge was an egg within an egg with an outer shell of platinum and white enamel. When the outer egg was opened, it revealed a smaller golden egg. The smaller egg when opened, revealed a chicken and the Imperial crown in replica.

This first Faberge Easter egg was such a success and delight to the Empress that he was ordered by the Czar to create more eggs to be delivered each Easter. This custom was continued by the Czar's son Nicholas II and enabled the creating of 57 specialized Easter eggs.

Because of the special treatment given to decorated eggs at Easter, it became practice to seek out these special eggs. This is how the traditional Easter egg hunt began. This is also why eggs hidden during the celebration are colorful and sometimes decorated and filled with gifts.